Survey Indicates Public Desire for Changes to Care Home Funding

A consultation on future care provision revealed that a “significant majority” of participants support the introduction of a cap on the amount individuals pay for nursing home care. Participants were invited to share their opinions on two proposed funding models for nursing, residential, and home care services on the Isle of Man. Out of the 1,227 individuals who participated, 95% expressed support for transitioning away from the existing funding model. The government stated its objective to fund care services in “a more sustainable and fair manner” and to offer increased financial assistance for individuals receiving care within their own homes. Opinions were divided regarding which new model to support; 48% favored a Free Personal Care model, akin to the system in Scotland, described as “an NHS-style model, where personal care is provided at no charge, regardless of someone’s income or assets”. Conversely, 45% chose the Mixed Model, which is comparable to the system in Jersey, under which individuals possessing assets exceeding a specified threshold would be required to contribute to their own care costs up to a predetermined amount, or “cap”. Both proposed models would still necessitate individuals covering their own accommodation and living expenses, with “alternative means tested support available to those who cannot afford to pay for those costs”. Although 78% of respondents concurred that a cap should be implemented, they “felt that a fixed amount was not acceptable or fair,” expressing a preference for a percentage or sliding scale instead. Consequently, based on this feedback, the Health and Care Transformation Programme (HCTP) plans to trial a sliding scale of thresholds, calculated as a percentage of an individual’s total income or assets, rather than using fixed standard amounts. Upon completion, the details of this cost model are scheduled to be shared with the Treasury. Subsequently, an assessment of the affordability of implementing a new funding model will be conducted and presented to Tynwald in 2025.